WBS Pens Sign Ryan Haggerty by @_MAF29

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed forward Ryan Haggerty, 23, to a one-year, AHL-level deal.

A third-year pro from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, Haggerty amassed 46 points in 112 AHL games while playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Rockford IceHogs. In 2014, he signed his first NHL contract as an undrafted free agent with the New York Rangers.

In his season with Hartford, Haggerty played every game of the 76-game season. There's obviously some trust in his game, with the management staff. One hopes that his skill allows that same trust to develop with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton management, as the end result would be beneficial to both parties.

Now, let's contemplate this signing for a moment. With Pittsburgh re-signing Matt Cullen, the forward-group for the WBS Pens includes, but isn't limited to: Jake Guentzel, Dominik Simon, Teddy Blueger, Josh Archibald, Carter Rowney, Oskar Sundqvist, Jean-Sebastien Dea, and now Ryan Haggerty. That's a pretty good top nine, all things considered. And that's not even including the captain, Tom Kostopolous.

Now, just as much as he is skilled, Haggerty can throw down. Management will likely try and make it so that isn't the apex of his game - nor the focus - but being able to fight is different than being a fighter. It's not a bad thing.

Hopefully, Haggerty can assist the Pens in their effort to reach the Calder Cup Playoffs (when do they not?) and finally win their first Calder Cup Championship.